The key to earning the title of the fastest crawler in Southwest Washington is to keep the eyes locked on the prize.
For Centralia 1-year-old Ariana Coamba, the prize was a set of keys.
Once Coamba’s eyes latched onto a set of keys dangled by mother Mirna Coamba at the finish line during the final round of the KELA/KMNT Diaper Derby at the Southwest Washington Fair on Thursday, it was game over for the competition.
She crawled to the finish line in a scorching 15 seconds to take home the derby title.
Ariana’s family and supporters had no doubt she would win the derby. After all, family friend Elida Ambriz witnessed last year’s diaper derby and knew Ariana had to be entered before Ambriz even knew she was born.
“I kind of thought she would,” relative Fatima Alvarez said of Ariana’s chances of winning. “But I also thought she might start to stand up because she’s been walking around the house. She can’t walk on her own yet.”
Walking is not allowed in the derby, as all participants must crawl on their hands and knees the entire way. Infant racers must not be older than 14 months, and parents can coach them behind the line using toys or other items.
The race, held on the third day of the fair at the Community Stage, was judged by newly crowned Little Miss Friendly Kimber Serl, Miss Lewis County Madeline Scalici and Miss Lewis County Teen Hailey Sturdevant.
The event is broken down into a total of six races — four heats to determine the semifinalists, two semifinal races to determine the four finalists, and the finals to declare a winner.
The Southwest Washington Fair began on Tuesday and runs through Sunday.
Learn more and plan your visit at https://southwestwashingtonfair.org.
